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Browse the side menu for information about permits, consents and information relating to controled activities. For for resource consent related matters go land use and building.
Rates are a charge against a property (rating unit) and set by your local and regional councils.
Rates are based on what a property is used for (i.e., residential or commercial use) and the land value/capital value of the property (as assessed by Quotable Value NZ Ltd). Property revaluations are performed every three years and take effect in the following rating year. For example, the 2009 revaluation took effect from 1 July 2010. The next revaluation will be in September 2012.
How are rates calculated?
A detailed explanation of how rates are calculated is outlined in the Hamilton City Council 2009-19 Long-Term Plan.
How are rates spent by Council?
When are rates due?
The due dates for the rates covering the financial period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 are as follows:
I N S T A L M E N T S
|
Area |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
North East |
26 Aug 2010 |
18 Nov 2010 |
|
12 May 2011 |
|
South East |
02 Sept 2010 |
25 Nov 2010 |
|
|
|
North West |
09 Sept 2010 |
02 Dec 2010 |
|
|
|
South West |
16 Sept 2010 |
09 Dec 2010 |
|
02 June 2011 |
Policies relating to rates
Information about policies (including the Hardship Policy), rates remission and the government scheme is available here:
Rating information database
The Council keeps a detailed record of rating information for Hamilton. You can access property information at the council offices on the ground floor - Rates department.
- Property details - valuation number, property address, land area
- Rates details - your account number, current rates, previous rates
- Valuation details - the date rates take effect, land value and capital value
Suppression of name and postal address information from the rating information database
There has been an amendment to the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, as from 31 December 2005 names and postal addresses will be made available to the general public.
If you wish to have this information withheld you must put your request in writing to the Revenue Manager, Hamilton City Council, Private Bag 3010, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton stating the property address and the names that you wish to be suppressed.
Understanding your rating valuation
Rates are based on a valuation of the property. The Council contracts Quotable Value to perform property revaluations to reflect changing market values every three years.
You will receive a notice of your rating valuation every 3 years but it will not be reflected in your Rates Assessment Notice until the following rating year, commencing 1 July.
The main indicator of a property's value is its worth on the current real estate market. The value is determined by looking at the selling price of other similar properties in the area. Any chattels such as carpets, drapes or light fittings are excluded from the valuation.
Click here to see common questions and answers regarding your Rating Valuation.
Capital Value
This is the probable price that would be paid for the property as at the date of the latest general revaluation. It does not include chattels, stock, crops, machinery or trees. Residential values include GST, other property types do not.
Land Value
This is the probable price that would be paid for the bare land as at the date of valuation. The Land Value includes any development work which may have been carried out, such as draining, excavation, filling, retaining walls, reclamation, grading, levelling, clearing of vegetation, fertility build-up, or protection from erosion or flooding.
Value of Improvements
This is the difference between the capital value and the land value. It reflects the value of the property's buildings and other structures, as well as any landscaping features.
Changing home ownership
Buyers
Rates are a charge on a property, not a property owner. That means that any outstanding rates on a property at the time of purchase become the responsibility of the new owner.
When a property is sold, the vendor's solicitor will usually identify any outstanding rates and negotiate the sale accordingly.
If you receive an invoice for overdue rates from a previous owner, contact the solicitor who represented you in the purchase to resolve the matter with the previous owners. In the meantime, it is in your best interest to settle the account immediately to avoid further penalties.
Sellers
If you receive an assessment in your name after you've sold the property, it may mean the Council has not received notification. Please advise your solicitor to issue the appropriate notification as soon as possible and return the assessment to the Council.
If you have been paying your rates by direct debit, the transfer will be cancelled automatically when the Council receives a notification.
Rates penalty remission
Rating units that have incurred penalties may, at the Councils discretion, have their penalties remitted where:
- Regular payments are being made which clear all outstanding rates by the end of the financial year ending on 30 June 2010; or
- All payments have been made on time for the previous four instalments; or
- Late payment has been due to extraordinary circumstances.
Rates rebates
The Rates Rebate Scheme was established by the Government through the Rates Rebate Act 1973, and the new criteria given affect to by the Rates Rebate Order 2006. The scheme is administered by the Council on behalf of the Department of Internal Affairs.
The scheme's purpose is to provide a subsidy to low-income homeowners and ratepayers on the cost of their rates.
You may apply for the rebate if:
- You pay rates on the address you live at, and
- You were living there as at 1 July, being the commencement of the rating year, and
- Your name is on the Rating Information database (RID), and
- The total income of you, your partner, and any joint homeowner is within the income threshold.
Applicants are required to provide information about their gross annual income for the relevant period 1 April 2009 - 31 March 2010.
The level of your rates, your income level and whether you have any dependants will all have a bearing on whether you qualify for a rebate or not.
The maximum rebate granted per year is $570. The rebate will be credited to your rate account.
If you think you may qualify for a rebate under this scheme, or for further information on the scheme please contact us.
Rates remission- hardship relief
This is targeted to ratepayers on low income and above average rates. This allows council to remit rates on a residential property up to an expected maximum of $370. Each application is considered on its merits.
The applicant must reside at the property and full financial statement is required from the ratepayer to meet conditions and criteria for the property. | 
